JP2006327314A - Light distribution control system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the light distribution of a headlight timely. <P>SOLUTION: This light distribution control system includes a present location detecting portion, an imaging apparatus for picking up a backward image of own vehicle and for creating image data thereof, a subsequent-vehicle information acquisition and processing device for acquiring subsequent-vehicle information based on the image data, an overtaking action prediction processing device for predicting the overtaking action based on the subsequent vehicles information, a determination processing device for a mode switching condition establishment for determining if the mode switching condition is established based on the predicted overtaking action, and an automatic mode setting processing means for switching an irradiation mode from a high beam mode to a low beam mode on an establishment of the mode switching condition. Thus, this light distribution control system can start the light distribution control of the headlights 22 early, since the irradiation mode is changed from the high beam mode to the low beam mode according to the predicted overtaking action based on the subsequent-vehicle information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light distribution control system and a light distribution control method.

  Conventionally, in a navigation apparatus, for example, a position of a vehicle, that is, a current position is detected by a GPS (global positioning system) sensor, and a direction of the vehicle is detected based on a turning angle of the vehicle detected by a gyro sensor. Can be done. Therefore, the map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display unit of the navigation device, a map of the periphery is displayed on the map screen, the current position is the own vehicle position, and the vehicle direction is the own vehicle direction. It is trying to display as. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the vehicle position and the vehicle direction displayed on the map screen.

  When the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route search process is performed based on the search conditions, and a route from the departure point (or current location) to the destination is searched according to the map data. The Then, the searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed on the map screen together with the vehicle position, and guidance for the searched route, that is, route guidance is performed. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle along the displayed search route.

By the way, when driving the vehicle at night, when the other vehicle is traveling ahead of its own vehicle, that is, in front of the own vehicle, if the headlight irradiation direction is upward, the preceding vehicle, That is, the headlight is affected by the driver of the preceding vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle is provided with a light distribution control system for controlling the light distribution of the headlights, and the light distribution is controlled by adjusting the optical axis of the headlights based on the distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-84099

  However, in the conventional light distribution control system, the preceding vehicle is photographed by the front monitoring camera, the preceding vehicle is recognized based on the image data generated along with the photographing, and the recognized preceding vehicle and the own vehicle The light distribution is controlled by adjusting the optical axis of the headlight based on the inter-vehicle distance.

  Therefore, for example, when another vehicle behind the host vehicle passes the host vehicle, the other vehicle is recognized as a preceding vehicle after moving ahead of the host vehicle. Control is delayed by that amount, and light distribution cannot be controlled at an appropriate timing.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a light distribution control system and a light distribution control method capable of solving the problems of the conventional light distribution control system and controlling the light distribution of a headlight at an appropriate timing. To do.

  Therefore, in the light distribution control system of the present invention, a current position detection unit that detects the current position of the own vehicle, an imaging device that captures an image of the rear of the own vehicle and generates image data, and image data from the imaging device. A rear vehicle information acquisition processing unit that reads and acquires rear vehicle information based on the image data; an overtaking operation prediction processing unit that predicts an overtaking operation in which the rear vehicle passes the own vehicle based on the rear vehicle information; Mode switching condition establishment determination processing means for determining whether or not the mode switching condition is established based on the predicted overtaking operation, and when the mode switching condition is established, the headlight irradiation mode is changed from the high beam mode to the low beam mode. Automatic mode setting processing means for switching to

  According to the present invention, the overtaking operation is predicted based on the rear vehicle information, and the headlight irradiation mode is switched from the high beam mode to the low beam mode based on the predicted overtaking operation. Control can be started earlier. Therefore, the light distribution can be controlled at an appropriate timing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic transmission control unit as a powertrain control unit. The automatic transmission control unit 10 is connected to an automatic transmission (not shown) and controls the automatic transmission and the like.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, 63 denotes a network, 51 denotes an information center as an information provider, the automatic transmission control unit 10, the navigation device 14, the network 63, the information center 51 and the like constitute a navigation system.

  The navigation device 14 includes a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit for detecting the current location of the vehicle and the host vehicle, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which various information is recorded in addition to map data, and an input. Based on the information thus obtained, the navigation processing unit 17 that performs various arithmetic processes such as navigation processing, the direction sensor 18 as a direction detection unit that detects the direction of the vehicle and the vehicle, and the driver who is the operator As a first output unit for performing various displays by an image displayed on a screen (not shown) as a first input unit for performing a predetermined input by operating, and notifying a driver The display unit 35, the voice input unit 36 as a second input unit for performing predetermined input by voice, various displays by voice, and notification to the driver A voice output unit 37 as a second output unit, and a communication unit 38 as a transmission / reception unit functioning as a communication terminal. The navigation processing unit 17 includes a GPS sensor 15, a data recording unit 16, an orientation sensor 18, an operation The unit 34, the display unit 35, the audio input unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected.

  Further, the navigation processing unit 17 includes the automatic transmission control unit 10, the beam switching unit 21 for switching the direction of the beam (optical axis) of the headlight 22, that is, the irradiation direction, and the irradiation mode. Mode, a mode changeover switch 23 for switching to a manual low beam mode or an automatic mode, a front monitoring device 48 for monitoring the front of the vehicle, attached to a predetermined location on the front end of the vehicle, and attached to a predetermined location on the rear end of the vehicle The rear camera (rear monitoring camera) 49 as an imaging device that captures the rear of the vehicle and generates image data, and an engine that detects the operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver by the accelerator opening Accelerator sensor 42 as load detector, brake pedal operation by driver is braked A brake sensor 43 serving as a braking detector for detecting at write amount, a vehicle speed sensor 44 as a vehicle speed detecting unit for detecting the vehicle speed are connected. The accelerator sensor 42, the brake sensor 43, and the like constitute a vehicle operation information detection unit for detecting vehicle operation information by the driver.

  When the automatic mode is set, the high beam mode and the low beam mode are automatically switched as the mode switching condition is satisfied. On the other hand, when the manual high beam mode or low beam mode is set, the setting is not switched unless the driver operates the mode switch 23.

  The GPS sensor 15 detects the current location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial satellite, and also detects the time. In the present embodiment, the GPS sensor 15 is used as the current position detection unit, but a distance sensor, a steering sensor, an altimeter, etc. (not shown) are used alone or in combination instead of the GPS sensor 15. You can also Further, although the azimuth sensor 18 is used as the azimuth detection unit, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used instead of the azimuth sensor 18.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a map database including map data files, and map data is recorded in the map database. The map data includes intersection data related to intersections, node data related to nodes, road data related to road links, search data processed for searching, facility data related to facilities, and feature data related to features. . The feature data includes display lines such as stop lines, vehicle lane boundaries, manholes on roads, road signs, traffic signal position information, image information, and the like. The road data relating to the lane includes lane data including a lane number assigned to each lane on the road, lane position information, and the like. Data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37 is also recorded in the data recording unit 16.

  Further, the data recording unit 16 includes a statistical database composed of a statistical data file, a travel history database composed of a travel history data file, and the like. Both are recorded as performance data.

  The statistical data is a history of traffic information provided in the past, that is, history information representing a history, and a road traffic information center (not shown) such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center as an information provider. Traffic information provided in the past, etc., data indicating the traffic volume by road traffic census provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as “road traffic census information”), road timetable information provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Etc. are used alone or in combination, processed as necessary, and subjected to statistical processing. It is possible to add traffic jam prediction information for predicting traffic jams to the statistical data. In that case, in creating the statistical data, detailed conditions such as date and time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (presence / absence of large facilities such as department stores and supermarkets) are added to the history information.

  The data items of the statistical data include a link number for each road link, a direction flag indicating the traveling direction, an information type indicating the type of information, a traffic congestion level indicating the degree of traffic congestion at each predetermined timing, and each road link. The link required time indicating the required time for each predetermined timing when traveling, average data for each day of the link required time (for example, day average data), and the like are included.

  The travel history data is the track record of the travel of the vehicle on the travel road collected by the information center 51 from a plurality of vehicles (own vehicle or other vehicle), that is, the track record information indicating the track record. Calculated and accumulated as data.

  The data items of the travel history data include a link required time at each predetermined timing when traveling on each road link, a degree of congestion at each predetermined timing when traveling on each road link, and the like. Note that travel history data can be added to the statistical data. Further, in the present embodiment, the congestion level is used as a congestion index that represents the degree of congestion, and is represented separately for congestion, congestion, and non-congestion.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a disk (not shown) such as a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, and an optical disk in order to record the various data, and also reads / writes for reading and writing various data. A head (not shown) such as a head is provided. A memory card or the like can be used for the data recording unit 16.

  In the present embodiment, the data recording unit 16 is provided with the map database, statistical database, travel history database, and the like. However, in the information center 51, the map database, statistical database, travel history, etc. A history database or the like can also be provided.

  The navigation processing unit 17 is a control device that performs overall control of the navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as an arithmetic device, a RAM 32 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, In addition to the above program, a ROM 33 in which various programs for searching for a route to the destination, route guidance and the like are recorded, and a flash memory (not shown) used for recording various data, programs and the like are provided. .

  In the present embodiment, various programs can be recorded in the ROM 33 and various data can be recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like can also be recorded on a disk or the like. In this case, the program, data, etc. can be read from a disk or the like and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging the disk or the like. Further, the control program, data, and the like of the automatic transmission control unit 10 can be recorded on the disk or the like. Further, the program, data, and the like can be received via the communication unit 38 and written into the flash memory of the navigation processing unit 17.

  The operation unit 34 is operated by the driver to correct the current location at the start of traveling, to input a departure point and a destination, to input a passing point, and to activate the communication unit 38. As the operation unit 34, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like disposed independently of the display unit 35 can be used. Further, as the operation unit 34, a predetermined input operation is performed by touching or clicking an image operation unit such as various keys, switches, and buttons displayed as images on the screen formed in the display unit 35. It is possible to use a touch panel that can be used.

  A display can be used as the display unit 35. Then, on various screens formed on the display unit 35, the current position of the vehicle is displayed as the vehicle position, the vehicle direction is displayed as the vehicle direction, a map, a search route, guidance information along the search route, traffic In addition to displaying information and the like, displaying the distance to the next intersection on the searched route, and the traveling direction at the next intersection, the operation of the image operation unit, operation unit 34, voice input unit 36, etc. It is possible to display guidance, operation menus, key guidance, FM multiplex broadcast programs, and the like.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, traffic information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37, for example, as voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. .

  The communication unit 38 transmits various information such as current traffic information and general information transmitted from the road traffic information center to radio wave beacons via radio wave beacon devices, optical beacon devices and the like arranged along the road. A beacon receiver for receiving as an optical beacon, an FM receiver for receiving as an FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station, and the like. The traffic information includes traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, and the like, and general information includes news, weather forecasts, and the like. Further, the beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  The traffic information includes an information type that indicates the type of information, a mesh number for specifying a mesh, a road link that connects two points (for example, intersections), and a link that indicates whether it is up / down. Number, including link information representing the content of information provided corresponding to the link number. For example, when the traffic information is traffic jam information, the link information is a distance from the start point of the road link to the head of the traffic jam Congestion head data representing traffic congestion degree, congestion section, traffic jam length representing the distance from the beginning of the traffic jam to the end of the traffic jam, link required time representing the time required to travel on the road link, and the like.

  And the communication part 38 can receive various information, such as traffic information and general information other than data, such as the said map data, statistical data, and driving history data, from the said information center 51 via the network 63. .

  For this purpose, the information center 51 includes a server 53, a communication unit 57 connected to the server 53, a database (DB) 58 as an information recording unit, and the like. A CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, etc. are provided as devices. The database 58 records data similar to the various data recorded in the data recording unit 16, for example, the map data, statistical data, travel history data, and the like. Further, the information center 51 provides various information such as current traffic information and general information transmitted from the road traffic information center, and travel history data collected from a plurality of vehicles (own vehicle or other vehicles) in real time. can do.

  The forward monitoring device 48 includes a radar such as a laser radar or a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or a combination thereof, and travels ahead of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, that is, the traveling lane. And the adjacent lane, that is, the vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane, is monitored as a preceding vehicle, or a temporary stop point, an obstacle, and the like are monitored. In addition, the forward monitoring device 48 uses the relative speed indicating the relative vehicle speed with respect to the preceding vehicle as the vehicle surrounding information, a temporary stop point (an entry point from a non-priority road to a priority road, a railroad crossing, an intersection where a red signal flashes, etc.) The approach speed to the vehicle, the approach speed to the obstacle, etc. are detected, or the inter-vehicle distance, inter-vehicle time, etc. are calculated.

  The back camera 49 is composed of a CCD, a C-MOS, etc., so that the vertical angle of view representing the angle capable of photographing in the vertical direction is an angle in a range from a point almost directly below the back camera 49 to a vanishing point in the horizon direction. CPU 31 displays a display line indicating a parking frame on the road, a rear vehicle that is the other vehicle behind the host vehicle, a building or the like, and generates image data of the photographed subject. Send to. The CPU 31 reads the image data, processes the image data, and recognizes the display line, the rear vehicle, the building, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the rear of the vehicle. The back camera 49 can photograph a display line, a manhole on a road, a road sign, a traffic light, etc. as an object to be photographed.

  The headlight 22 includes a high beam lamp and a low beam lamp. When the high beam mode is selected, the high beam lamp is turned on to make the irradiation direction upward. On the other hand, when the low beam mode is selected, the low beam lamp is turned on and the irradiation direction is set downward.

  The navigation system, the navigation processing unit 17, the CPUs 31, 54, the server 53, and the like function as a computer based on various programs, data, and the like. The data recording unit 16, RAMs 32 and 55, ROMs 33 and 56, database 58, flash memory, and the like constitute a recording medium. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPUs 31 and 54 as the arithmetic unit.

  Next, a basic operation when the navigation system having the above configuration is used as a light distribution control system will be described.

  First, when the operation unit 34 is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, a navigation initialization processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a navigation initialization process and detects the current location of the vehicle detected by the GPS sensor 15. The vehicle direction detected by the direction sensor 18 is read, and various data are initialized. Next, the matching processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, and based on the trajectory of the read current location and the shape, arrangement, etc. of each road link constituting the road around the current location, The current location is identified by determining whether it is located on the road link.

  A lane detection processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a lane detection process, reads image data such as display lines, manholes on the road, road signs, traffic lights, etc. taken by the back camera 49, Then, image processing is performed, and a traveling lane is detected by collating with the display data in the map data, manholes on the road, road signs, traffic lights, and the like.

  The lane detection processing means reads the sensor output of the geomagnetic sensor, and based on the sensor output, determines whether or not there is a detected object made of a ferromagnetic material such as a manhole in a predetermined lane on the road. The traveling lane can also be detected based on the determination result. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the current location with high accuracy using the highly accurate GPS sensor 15 and to detect the traveling lane based on the detection result. Further, if necessary, image processing can be performed on the display line image data, and at the same time, the traveling lane can be detected by combining the sensor output of the geomagnetic sensor, the current location, and the like.

  Subsequently, a basic information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a basic information acquisition process and acquires the map data by reading it from the data recording unit 16 or receiving it from the information center 51 or the like via the communication unit 38. And get. In addition, when acquiring map data from the information center 51 etc., the said basic information acquisition process means downloads the received map data to flash memory.

  A display processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a display process and forms various screens on the display unit 35. For example, the road map display processing means of the display processing means performs road map display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, displays surrounding maps on the map screen, and sets the current location as the vehicle position, Is displayed as the vehicle direction.

  Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the map, the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  Further, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a destination, a destination setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a destination setting process to set the destination. Note that the departure place can be input and set as necessary. Moreover, a predetermined point can be registered in advance, and the registered point can be set as a destination. Subsequently, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a search condition, a search condition setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a search condition setting process to set the search condition.

  When the destination and search conditions are set in this way, the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route search processing, reads the current location, destination, search conditions, and the like from the data recording unit 16. Based on the current location, the destination, and the search data, a route from the departure point to the destination represented by the current location is searched based on the search condition, and route data representing the searched route is output. At this time, the route with the smallest total link cost assigned to each road link is set as the searched route.

  When a plurality of lanes are formed on the road and a traveling lane is detected, the route search processing means searches for a search route for each lane. In that case, the route data also includes a lane number representing a traveling lane.

  Subsequently, a guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs guidance processing and provides route guidance. For this purpose, the route display processing means of the guidance processing means performs route display processing, reads the route data, and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data. When a search route for each lane is searched, route guidance for each lane is performed at a predetermined point, for example, a guidance intersection, and a travel lane for which route guidance is being performed is displayed in the enlarged intersection view. If necessary, the voice output processing means of the guidance processing means performs voice output processing, and outputs a search route by voice from the voice output unit 37 to provide route guidance.

  The information center 51 can perform a route search process. In that case, the CPU 31 transmits the current location, the destination, search conditions, and the like to the information center 51. When the information center 51 receives the current location, destination, search conditions, etc., the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs route search processing similar to that of the CPU 31 and reads the search data from the database 58 to obtain the current location, destination. Based on the location and the search data, a route from the departure point to the destination is searched under the search conditions, and route data representing the searched route is output. Subsequently, a transmission processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs transmission processing and transmits the route data to the navigation device 14. Therefore, in the navigation device 14, when the basic information acquisition processing means receives the route data from the information center 51, the guidance processing means performs route guidance as described above.

  And when a guidance intersection exists on the searched route, when the vehicle reaches a route guidance point that is a predetermined distance L1 (for example, X [m]) from the guidance intersection, the intersection enlarged map display process of the guidance processing means is performed. The means performs an enlarged intersection map display process, forms an enlarged intersection map as described above in a predetermined area of the map screen, performs route guidance by the enlarged intersection map, and displays the intersection enlarged map in the vicinity of the guidance intersection. A map, a searched route, a landmark such as a facility that serves as a landmark at a guidance intersection, and a route lane or the like are displayed when route guidance is performed in units of lanes. Further, if necessary, the voice output processing means outputs a voice such as “This is X [m] to the left” from the voice output unit 37 and performs route guidance.

  Further, when the driver drives the vehicle at night, when the mode changeover switch 23 is operated and the manual high beam mode is selected, the manual mode setting processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs the manual mode setting processing and sets the high beam mode. Then, a switching signal is sent to the beam switching unit 21. The beam switching unit 21 receives the switching signal, turns on the high beam lamp, and turns the irradiation direction upward. Accordingly, the headlight 22 irradiates far away from the own vehicle.

  On the other hand, when the driver operates the mode changeover switch 23 to select the manual low beam mode, the manual mode setting processing means sets the low beam mode, sends a switching signal to the beam switching unit 21, and transmits the beam. In response to the switching signal, the switching unit 21 turns on the low beam lamp, and turns the irradiation direction downward. Therefore, the headlight 22 irradiates the vicinity of the own vehicle.

  When the driver operates the mode switch 23 to select the automatic mode, the light distribution control processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs the light distribution control process and controls the light distribution by the headlight 22. For this purpose, the light distribution control processing means determines whether or not the mode switching condition is satisfied, and when the mode switching condition is satisfied, generates a switching signal and automatically sets the irradiation mode between the high beam mode and the low beam. Change the irradiation direction automatically.

  Next, the operation of the light distribution control processing means will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the light distribution control processing means in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the mode determination processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs a mode determination process to determine the irradiation mode. For this purpose, the mode determination processing means reads the switching signal generated by the automatic mode setting processing means and determines which of the high beam mode and the low beam mode is set.

  When the high beam mode is set, the traveling road determination processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs the traveling road determination process, reads the current location, and reads the road data from the data recording unit 16 (FIG. 1).

  Next, the rear vehicle information acquisition processing means of the light distribution control processing means performs rear vehicle information acquisition processing, reads image data from the back camera 49, and based on the image data, in the present embodiment, the image data Image recognition processing is performed on the data, and it is determined whether the vehicle behind the vehicle is traveling along the side line of the vehicle's travel line behind the vehicle, and the vehicle behind the vehicle travels along the side line. If it is, the distance from the own vehicle to the rear vehicle, the vehicle speed of the rear vehicle, the acceleration of the rear vehicle, and the like are calculated and acquired as the rear vehicle information. The acceleration of the rear vehicle can be calculated by calculating the rate of change of the vehicle speed of the rear vehicle.

  Subsequently, the overtaking operation prediction processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs an overtaking operation prediction process, and based on the vehicle speed of the own vehicle and the rear vehicle information, an operation in which the rear vehicle overtakes the own vehicle, that is, Predict overtaking behavior. In the present embodiment, the overtaking operation is, for example, an operation in which the front end of the rear vehicle and the front end of the own vehicle are in the same position, and the rear vehicle is arranged next to the own vehicle. This refers to an operation of moving forward from a lined state by a predetermined distance (for example, 1 [m]).

  Then, the mode switching condition establishment determination processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs a mode switching condition establishment determination process, and when the overtaking operation is predicted, a mode is determined depending on whether the predicted overtaking operation is performed. It is determined whether the switching condition is satisfied. Therefore, when an overtaking operation is predicted, the mode switching condition establishment determination processing means calculates a timing at which the overtaking operation is performed, that is, an overtaking timing, and sets the time until the overtaking timing as an overtaking time. calculate. Then, the mode switching condition establishment determination processing means starts counting by the timer, and determines whether or not the overtaking operation is performed, that is, whether or not the mode switching condition is established, depending on whether or not the overtaking time has elapsed. . When the overtaking time elapses and the mode switching condition is satisfied, the automatic mode setting processing means of the light distribution control processing means performs automatic mode setting processing, generates a switching signal, and changes the irradiation mode from the high beam mode to the low beam mode. Switch to mode.

  Subsequently, the overtaking vehicle determination processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs overtaking vehicle determination processing, and based on the vehicle speed and backward vehicle information of the own vehicle, that is, the overtaking vehicle (preceding vehicle) ) And the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle.

  Next, the overtaking vehicle position determination processing unit of the light distribution control processing unit performs overtaking vehicle position determination processing, and determines whether the overtaking vehicle position depends on whether the inter-vehicle distance is greater than a preset threshold value. Whether the position of the overtaking vehicle is outside the low beam area, that is, the region where the low beam mode needs to be set. When the inter-vehicle distance becomes larger than the threshold and the position of the overtaking vehicle is outside the low beam area, the automatic mode setting processing unit generates a switching signal and switches the irradiation mode from the low beam mode to the high beam mode.

  Further, the overtaking vehicle position determination processing means refers to the map data, for example, determines whether the overtaking vehicle has moved to a position where it can no longer be seen from the own vehicle, such as a curve, and the position where the overtaking vehicle cannot be seen from the own vehicle. In the case of moving to, the automatic mode setting processing means generates a switching signal and switches the irradiation mode from the low beam mode to the high beam mode.

  The threshold is set so that the driver of the overtaking vehicle is not affected by the irradiation of the headlight 22 when the high beam mode is set.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the overtaking operation is predicted based on the rear vehicle information, it is determined whether the mode switching condition is satisfied based on the predicted overtaking operation, and the mode switching condition is When established, the headlight irradiation mode is switched from the high beam mode to the low beam mode.

  Therefore, since the light distribution of the headlight can be controlled simultaneously with the overtaking operation, the control of the light distribution of the headlight can be made faster by that amount. As a result, the light distribution can be controlled at an appropriate timing.

  In calculating the rear vehicle information, the back camera 49 having a high mounting rate on the vehicle can be used. Therefore, since it is not necessary to newly install any imaging device in the vehicle, the cost of the light distribution control system can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the irradiation mode of the headlight can be changed regardless of the traffic jam situation, the light distribution can be constantly controlled.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: A mode determination process is performed.
Step S2: Determine whether the high beam mode is set. When the high beam mode is set, the process proceeds to step S3, and when it is not set, the process ends.
Step S3 Read road data.
Step S4: Obtain rear vehicle information.
Step S5 Predict the overtaking operation of the rear vehicle.
Step S6: It is determined whether overtaking has been performed. If it is overtaken, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is not overtaken, the process returns to step S4.
Step S7: Switch to the low beam mode.
Step S8: Calculate the position of the overtaking vehicle.
Step S9: It is determined whether the area is outside the low beam area. If it is outside the low beam area, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is not outside the low beam area, the process returns to step S8.
Step S10: The mode is switched to the high beam mode.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the light distribution control process means in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic transmission control part 14 Navigation apparatus 15 GPS sensor 22 Headlight 31 CPU
49 Back camera 51 Information center 63 Network

Claims (4)

  A current location detection unit for detecting the current location of the host vehicle, an imaging device that captures the rear of the host vehicle and generates image data, reads image data from the imaging device, and acquires rear vehicle information based on the image data Rear vehicle information acquisition processing means for performing, overtaking operation prediction processing means for predicting an overtaking operation in which the rear vehicle overtakes the own vehicle based on the rear vehicle information, and a mode switching condition based on the predicted overtaking operation A mode switching condition establishment determination processing unit that determines whether or not the condition is satisfied; and an automatic mode setting processing unit that switches the irradiation mode of the headlight from the high beam mode to the low beam mode when the mode switching condition is satisfied. Light distribution control system.   The light distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the rear vehicle information is a distance from the own vehicle to the rear vehicle, a vehicle speed of the rear vehicle, and an acceleration of the rear vehicle.   The light distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic mode setting processing means switches the irradiation mode from the low beam mode to the high beam mode when the position of the overtaking vehicle is separated from the position of the own vehicle by a predetermined distance or more.   Detecting the current location of the host vehicle, photographing the back of the host vehicle to generate image data, reading the image data, obtaining rear vehicle information based on the image data, and rear vehicle based on the rear vehicle information Predicts the overtaking operation overtaking the host vehicle, determines whether the mode switching condition is satisfied based on the predicted overtaking operation, and sets the headlight irradiation mode to the high beam when the mode switching condition is satisfied. A light distribution control method characterized by switching from a mode to a low beam mode.

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